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Q:

I am a female to male transgender person who has recently started binding. I am a very athletic person who works out three times a day: two cardio sessions and one weightlifting 6 days a week.

I do not bind when I am working out, but recently noticed that I have been experiencing chest pain since I started binding. Sometimes the pain will start when I am not currently wearing a binder had not since a day or two ago. I am currently feeling a jabbing throb in my upper left pectoral muscle. I last binded 12 hours ago. Other times I will feel a piercing pain the center of my chest between my breasts.

I do understand that I am restricting my air flow when I do bind, but what are medical signs that need to be attended to immediately?

A:

There is nothing that indicates the binding is causing these symptoms so you need to be evaluated for chest pain regardless of the binding. You didn't mention whether the pain is during your exertion or just at rest and didn't mention whether it is worse with taking a deep breath. You didn't mention how long it lasts, or whether iSSt causes nausea.

It is possible this is chest wall inflammation from the frequent weight lifting or another cause, but your heart and lungs and esophagus are all potentially sources of pain like this. Please call 650-3400 for a same day appointment so we can check things out.